[Aspects of sexually transmissible diseases in young children in Burundi: gonorrhea caused by sexual abuse].

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the existence of sexually transmitted diseases secondary to sexual abuse inflicted on young infants in Black Africa. A total of 230 files involving infants presenting leucorrhea or urethral discharge were reviewed in Bujumbura (Burundi) to select only cases with bacteriologically documented gonorrhea. A total of 2 such cases were identified during the period from 1987 to 1992. There were 20 girls and 5 boys with a mean age of 6.4 years. In 4 cases, rape was proven. In 9 cases the contaminator could not be identified, but in 12 cases medical and legal evidence showed that the alleged authors of sexual abuse was a domestic employee at the child's home. These findings indicated that sexual abuse in children is not an uncommon occurrence in Black Africa and often leads to gonorrhea. The consequences of such abuse are aggravated by the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus. The authors recommend a practical approach that should be taken whenever sexual abuse is suspected in these countries.